protecting our
local wildlife
Rottnest Island is an A-Class Reserve
renowned for its high conservation
and community values.
All plants and animals on Rottnest Island
are protected by law. Wildlife should not
be disturbed, rather observed from a
reasonable distance.
Please enjoy these natural wonders during
your visit and appreciate the need to
conserve this island paradise for
future generations to enjoy.
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Protection of local wildlife
Rottnest Island provides critical habitat for
a range of animal species, with some being
listed as significant for conservation under
State and Commonwealth legislation.
This includes the world’s most viable
population of quokkas.
The quokka is currently ranked as ‘vulnerable’
under both the IUCN Red List and the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999.
If quokkas are not protected
on Rottnest Island, they risk
becoming extinct in the wild.
how can you help
Do not feed the wildlife
In some cases feeding wildlife
can result in the death of the
animal and also lead to unnatural
behaviours, where animals
become reliant on humans
or aggressive.
Bread for example is a poor
dietary substitute as it has very
low nutritional values, causing
deficiencies and predisposing our
wildlife to disease and deformities.
It is also important not to provide
quokkas with an artificial
water supply as it can
cause toxicity within
the quokkas body
leading to death.
Quokkas can only digest plants, other
types of food can result in illness.
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Do not touch the wildlife
While our quokkas are certainly
friendly, touching and petting
them is not permitted.
Quokkas and birds on Rottnest
Island have been known to
deliver a nasty bite as well as
carry diseases like Salmonella.
For your own personal safety
and the welfare of the animal, it
is best to limit human interaction
with wild animals. If you
accidentally come into contact
with an animal, wash the area of
contact with soap and water as
soon as possible to minimise the
risk of infection.
On the spot fines will be charged
to anyone seen interfering with
animals, including feeding.
our local wildlife?
Dispose of
your rubbish
Putting your rubbish and food
scraps in the bin is important to
prevent the following:
• Wildlife becoming sick from
eating human food
• Wildlife becoming aggressive
• Rubbish littering our beautiful
island ecosystems
• Wildlife ingesting plastics
and other harmful materials
Ride your
bikes with care
To avoid accidents with quokkas,
and other wildlife such as lizards,
please take care while riding
and keep your eyes on the road.
Quokkas are fairly inactive during
the daytime and become more alert
during the evenings.
Early morning and late evening are
the best times to see a quokka,
when they are often on the
road in higher numbers.
thank you.
If you see a sick or injured animal or animals being
mistreated, please report it immediately to the
Rottnest Island Rangers
on 9372 9788.
Anyone who deliberately interferes
(including feeding) wildlife will be fined $150 on the
spot under the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987
and potentially prosecuted under the
Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 with
fines up to $10,000; and
Acts of animal cruelty may result in
fines up to $50,000 and 5 years imprisonment
under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.